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Using Mindfulness Techniques to Identify Feelings
Acknowledging feelings can often be difficult especially when those feelings are uncomfortable. It is hard to address feelings of disappointment. It can be hard to let feelings of sadness in.
However, allowing ourselves to experience a wide range of feelings, addressing them, and coping with them is an important part of recovery from an eating disorder. Often, the preoccupations with food, binge/purge behaviors and body dissatisfaction mask feelings that are bubbling under the surface (for a refresher, look at the Red Flags blog).
A lot of people addressing issues of recovery will say, “I don’t know what I am feeling!” This is when mindfulness can come in! Find a quiet time and spend some time with your thoughts. Sit with your feelings. Ask yourself- what is bothering me? What has been going on? Notice shifts in your mood. If you can’t label the feeling that is okay. Be aware of HOW you feel and do your best to describe it. If you can’t, journal about what feels hard or difficult.
All the feelings are part of the journey of learning more about yourself and how you feel.
Be patient. Stay in the moment. Be mindful.
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